W. Sumatra sued for Rp 1.1b

W. Sumatra sued for Rp 1.1b

PADANG, W. Sumatra: Farmers from Pematang Jaya in Padang
Pariaman are suing the West Sumatra administration for Rp 1
billion (US$385,000) for allowing a destructive mining activity
near their village, Antara said.

They said that since the mining of obsidian (volcanic glass)
on Geringging River began in 1991, three people have died because
of landslides. They also blamed mining activity for the
devastation of 100 hectares of their rice fields.

Rahmat Wartira, the director of Padang's Legal Aid Institute
office, said the farmers would prosecute the government if their
demand for compensation was not met.

Rahmat said the West Sumatra administration had originally
licensed six companies to mine the site. Four of these have
ceased operations while the other two had stopped mining by
themselves but still receive volcanic glass collected by the
local people.

Rahmat said he had been told by the administration that the
mining would continue and a new investor has already been
appointed. (09)